“West Bengal Panchayat Election Results: TMC Sweeps Rural Polls Amid Violence and Controversy”
The West Bengal panchayat election results, which were closely watched as a test for the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, have been declared amid tight security and heightened tensions.
Here are the top 10 updates on the election outcomes:
1. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has emerged victorious in the violence-affected rural polls, securing 28,985-gram panchayat seats, and leading in 1,540 seats. The BJP, the TMC’s main rival, has won 7,764 seats and is leading in 417 seats. The total number of seats being contested is 63,229.
2. The Left Front, comprising various left-leaning parties, has won 2,468 seats, with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) alone securing 2,409 seats. Currently, 260 seats are in the name of the Left. The Indian National Congress has won 2,022 seats and is leading in 139. Other parties have secured 725 seats and are leading in 23 seats. Additionally, independent candidates, including TMC rebels, have won 1,656 seats and are leading in 104 seats.
3. Repolling was conducted in 696 booths across 19 districts of West Bengal due to incidents of violence and booth-capturing during the initial voting on July 8. The repolling recorded a turnout of 69.85% of eligible voters until 5 pm.
4. The panchayat election process in West Bengal has been marred by allegations of vote tampering and violence. The state election commission ordered the repoll in most affected booths, except in three districts. Tragically, the total death toll due to political violence since June 8, when the local body polls were announced, has reached 42, with four more deaths reported on Monday.
5. The BJP has criticized the Trinamool Congress government, referring to the violence as “state-sponsored.” The party has accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of being ruthless and claimed that the dispute has claimed the lives of at least 45 individuals. A fact-finding committee, including MP and former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and MP Dr. Satyapal Singh, has been appointed by the BJP to visit the violence-affected areas.
6. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of neighbouring Assam, announced that 133 people from West Bengal sought shelter in Assam due to fear for their safety following the panchayat election violence. The Assam government has provided them with shelter in a relief camp and assured them of humanitarian assistance during times of crisis.
7. The violence on July 8 resulted in the deaths of at least 19 individuals, with dozens more injured. Widespread allegations of booth capturing, rigging, looting of ballot boxes, heckling of polling officials, and firing and bomb attacks have been reported. The death toll solely on voting day stood at 17, surpassing the 12 fatalities recorded during the 2018 panchayat election violence.
8. Repolling on Monday was conducted under tight security, with a significant presence of central forces personnel and state police in each booth. Voters who were already in queues by 5 pm were allowed to cast their ballots, and election officials worked overtime to ensure a smooth process.
9. To examine the situation, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose travelled to the South 24 Parganas area, comprising Bhangar and Canning. Previously, Governor CV Ananda Bose met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to apprise him of the recent violence in West Bengal.
10. In 2018, the TMC won 34% of the panchayat seats uncontested. This year, the ruling party once again secured several seats without contesting. Opposition parties alleged that TMC cadres prevented several candidates from filing nominations, further fueling controversy surrounding the election process.